What is the best to do on a Friday night to survive record-high temperatures and a massive heat wave? Of course, heading into the city and stumbling into an indoor blind wine tasting event. Lukily, the table was placed in front of a big fan, so proper cooling was assured. Besides that, all heat worries were quickly distracted by the outstanding wine challenge. The location was an industrial-style concept kitchen right on the Sonnenallee. Six wines were served, people were grouped table-wise into teams, and they had to guess what was poured. A smal selection of most delicious appetizeres and snacks could hold as a basis. Foccaccia with stracciatella and mortadella, amazing olives aromatized with lemon, and a selection of cheese and locally produced ham of wine-worthy quality.
Blind tastings can challenge even experienced wine drinkers. The tasting started with a Clemens Busch Riesling GG, ripened, not to be confused with a Viognier. Followed by a Seckinger Chardonnay, and a Sepp Muster Sauvignon Blanc/Chardonnay (Morillon, as they call it in Austria). Then over to the reds, a Château Thivin Côte de Brouilly, Beajoulais Gamay, not to confuse with a Blaufränkisch, a Rioja from Ortega Ezquerra, having the strong tannins of a Barolo but clear notes of spanish Style even though made from Grenache/Garnacha grapes, which is not typical for the Rioja region. Finished by a Cabernet Franc from Southern France, Loire Anjou by Anne Claude Leflaive. All of them very interesting wines, such a joy to taste this line up. Later extended by a small party in the backyard with Kabi (semi sweet Riesling), and further joyfull ice-cold whites.
But wait, not only six wines! Two teams had gathered the same count of points and in a head-to-head decission a final seventh wine was presented to those two. Chardonnay way clearly pointed out by both, but one matched the vintage, a 2023 Andreas Tscheppe and won the well-earned bottle of Champagne. See you next time, already curious for more wine quizzes, backed up by perfect service and good food, coming up.
Hosts and Credits: Neukölln Grand Cru, Drama Kitchen, Neueröffnung 030, Drama Kitchen, Echo Wines, Drops Wines, Claudia Sennecke.
